A Northampton resident approached Northampton Borough Council Aug. 17, requesting that a monument be moved from its present site to another nearby location.

Art Brown, a borough optician, said the concrete monument was dedicated decades ago to Dragon Cement Company workers in observance of their safety record. Located behind a fence off Main and 26th streets, the piece of history stands behind a tall fence and is masked by high shrubbery and trees.

“Trees are growing all around it,” Brown said. “There’s got to be a better place.”

Brown recommended the monument, which is intact and in good condition, be moved two blocks south to a grassy area at 24th and Main streets.

Councilman Anthony Lopsonzski Sr. said the borough should support the moving of the monument.

At first, it was thought the monument was on borough property.

However, both the current location and the suggested relocation of the monument are properties owned by Lafarge Cement Company.

Brown told The Press Aug. 25 he and Northampton Mayor Thomas Reenock have since met with Lafarge officials.

“[The project] is moving ahead,” Brown said of expectations that Lafarge will have the monument moved to the new location.

“It’s still going to be on private property,” Brown said, “but it’s more like an open area - more like a park area that people could walk up to and appreciate it.”

Councilman Ed Pany, historian and curator of Atlas Cement Company Memorial Museum, added his support for the move.

“Everyone knows I’m a passionate preserver of cement history. I certainly commend you, Art (Brown),” Pany said. “It’s not a far move. [Lafarge will] get positive publicity for this.”

Founded in 1898, Lawrence Cement Company, north of 21st Street, was the original cement company in the borough. It was later Dragon Cement Company and, finally, Martin Marietta - which closed in 1993.